A casino is an establishment for gambling. It may be a standalone building or an entire complex, including hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Some casinos also have convention centers. Casinos can be located in states that allow gambling, as well as abroad in countries that do not. The modern casino is much like an indoor amusement park, with musical shows, lighted fountains, and shopping centers. But the main attraction is still the games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and other gambling games bring in billions of dollars each year to casino owners.
Casinos are regulated by gaming control boards or similar agencies, and many have their own gaming associations that advocate for them. In the United States, the American Gaming Association is the leading national trade group for the overall casino industry.
While gambling probably predates recorded history, the modern casino as a place to find a variety of ways to gamble under one roof did not appear until the late 19th century. Nevada was the first state to legalize gambling, but it took decades before other states followed suit.
At the beginning of the casino era, organized crime gangsters controlled most casinos. They supplied the money, but they also tended to interfere in decisions and even physically threaten staff members. As the industry became more legitimate, investors with deeper pockets bought out the mob influence and gained sole or partial ownership of casinos. Today, casino companies use advanced technology to help ensure fair play. For example, betting chips have built-in microcircuitry that allows casinos to monitor exactly how much is wagered minute by minute; and roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly to discover any statistical deviations.